In the beginning

  

We have a match! 

One of my goals with the blog is to keep our family and friends updated on what's going on in our busy growing family.  Another goal is to have a record of our daughter's lives with us from the beginning.  Below is the very first email I received about M (we cannot share her name untill she is adopted by us for her privacy). 

Hello,
I just wanted to pass along this description.  It sounds like this little one has a lot of potential to progress.  I believe I am going to be sent a picture soon and will pass that on if you are interested.  Let me know if you want to be considered...  Hope you are enjoying this lovely weather!
March 16, 2013
M  is a 4 ½ year old, African-American female.She is average in height and weight, has brown eyes and her hair is usually in braids. M is in good physical health and is up-to-date on medical, dental and immunizations.
M has a trauma history related to past neglect and physical abuse. Due to this trauma,M displays moderate behavior challenges such as physical & verbal aggression and tantrums.M has been diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD and a Sensory Disorder. She has a history of seizure/tic episodes that was determined to be a way her body coped with stress and anxiety. She has not displayed any seizure/tic episodes since Fall 2011. M has a history of aggression towards animals; however, has not displayed this behavior in over a year. At times, M has difficulty sleeping and has a tendency to wake up during the night.
To assist in managing M's behaviors, she is involved in a variety of therapeutic services including Individual Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Medication Management. She is prescribed medication for behavior modification including Adderall, Risperidone and Clonidine. These medications are monitored on a monthly basis and adjusted as needed.
M  is a smart, articulate and funny little girl. She enjoys playing dress-up, dancing, singing and coloring. She is very affectionate and enjoys being held. She also enjoys making other people laugh. Mhas a lot of energy and is always on-the-go. She enjoys playing outside and is excited to ride a bike and swim this summer.
M is in need of a loving, compassionate and active family. She would thrive in a two-parent family with no children her age. M's caregivers would need to be firm with rules and consistent with maintaining a routine. It would be very beneficial for M's caregivers to be open to maintaining her current services, if possible, and implementing techniques and strategies that have proven to be beneficial for her in the past. M consistently verbalizes an interest in wanting "a family of her own." With stability and permanence, M will make great strides and progress.
This is it.  From this email we needed to make a decision about submitting our homestudy for this little girl.  From this little email we may or may not have the opportunity to develop a life long relationship with a child that will for the rest of our lives be our daughter.  We read this little email, then prayed alot!  Then without any hesitation...we said YES!